Cart transporting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cart transporting apparatus including a hitch assembly and a cart coupling assembly. The hitch assembly may include an elongated body, at least one catch member, and a hitch stop. The hitch stop may be, for example, a rotating hitch stop or a sliding hitch stop. The rotating hitch stop may include at least three flanges configured to abut a cart and may further include a detent mechanism. The cart coupling assembly may include at least a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be pivotally coupled to the second portion. The first portion may include first and second engagement members. The second portion may include third and fourth engagement members.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/044,192, filed on Apr. 11, 2008; U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/127,784, filed on May 14, 2008; and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/095,907, filed on Sep. 10, 2008;the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to cart transporting apparatus andmethods for assisting in the transport of wheeled carts. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to apparatus, devices, andmethods for coupling cart movers to wheeled carts and for couplingmultiple wheeled carts together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Some stores, warehouses, etc., such as grocery store chains, use carts,such as roll cages, to move product from one location to another, suchas from a distribution center to the grocery store. The use of carts hasreduced the waste material from pallets and plastic wrapping thattypically surrounds the product delivered from the distribution center.The product is protected inside the cart and the cart may be returned tothe distribution center for refilling when empty. A store chain may haveas many as hundreds of thousands of the carts in its distributionnetwork.

In the store, for example, an individual operator may have to push orpull a full cart a long distance from the back of the store to the frontto restock shelves. Moving the full carts may cause repetitive straininjuries or other workplace injuries. Further, an individual operatormay be able to move only one full cart and one or two empty carts at atime.

Some distribution centers or stores may use cart pulling or cart pushingdevices, or movers, to transport carts. However, a distribution centeror store may have several different types of carts and each cart mayrequire a different type of hitch to couple the cart to a mover. Thus, adistribution center or store may require several movers, each dedicatedto a specific type of cart.

In addition, in order to move multiple carts, an operator may use alength of chain to connect one cart to the next. However, the chain doesnot keep the carts from wandering from side to side or rolling forwardand hitting the cart in front of it, nor do the chains provide forcontrolled turns. The cost of reworking individual carts to provide acommon coupling method may be relatively expensive when many carts, upto as many as hundreds of thousands, could require modification. Thesefactors may contribute to reduced efficiency and/or increased costs inthe distribution center or store.

Thus, there exists a need in the art for improved apparatus, devices,and methods for coupling cart movers to wheeled carts and for couplingmultiple wheeled carts together. Particularly, there is a need in theart for apparatus, devices, and methods for moving multiple carts andcarts with different configurations and/or dimensions with increasedefficiency and without causing workplace injuries.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure, in one embodiment, relates to a carttransporting apparatus. The cart transporting apparatus may include ahitch stop assembly and a cart coupling assembly. The hitch stopassembly may include an elongated body, at least one catch member, and ahitch stop operably coupled to the body and configured to move about ahorizontal plane relative to the body. In further embodiments, the hitchassembly may include a swinging or rotating latch end that mayreleasably engage with the frame of the cart. The cart coupling assemblymay include at least a first portion and a second portion. The firstportion may be pivotally coupled to the second portion. The firstportion may include first and second engagement members. The secondportion may include third and fourth engagement members. In someembodiments, the hitch stop may be a rotating hitch stop and may includeat least three flanges configured to abut a cart. In some embodiments,the hitch stop may further include a detent mechanism. In someembodiments, the hitch stop may be a sliding hitch stop.

The present disclosure, in another embodiment, relates to a hitch stopassembly. The hitch stop assembly may include an elongated body, atleast one catch member and a hitch stop operably coupled to the body andconfigured to move about a horizontal plane relative to the body. Insome embodiments, the hitch stop may be a rotating hitch stop and mayinclude at least three flanges configured to abut a cart. In someembodiments, the hitch stop may further include a detent mechanism. Insome embodiments, the hitch stop may be a sliding hitch stop.

The present disclosure, in a further embodiment, relates to a cartcoupling assembly. The cart coupling assembly may include at least afirst portion and a second portion. The first portion may be pivotallycoupled to the second portion. The first portion may include first andsecond engagement members. The second portion may include third andfourth engagement members.

The present disclosure, in yet another embodiment, relates to a carttransporting apparatus. The cart transporting apparatus may include ahitch assembly and a cart coupling assembly. The hitch assembly mayinclude an elongated body and a rotating latch. The cart couplingassembly may include an engagement member including arms in a fixedrelationship relative to each other.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresent disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description, which shows and describesillustrative embodiments of the disclosure. As will be realized, theembodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, allwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as formingthe various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is believed thatthe embodiments will be better understood from the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a cart transporting apparatus having ahitch assembly and a cart coupling assembly according to one embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a rear isometric view of a cart mover according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the cart mover of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 2C is a top plan view of the cart mover of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side isometric view of a hitch assembly showncoupled to a cart and a cart mover according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a partial side isometric view of the hitch assembly of FIG. 3,wherein the cart and cart mover are hidden for clarity purposes.

FIG. 5A is a partial top isometric view of the hitch assembly of FIG. 4,wherein a hitch stop is shown in a first position.

FIG. 5B is a partial top isometric view of the hitch assembly of FIG. 4,wherein the hitch stop is shown in a second position.

FIG. 5C is a partial top isometric view of the hitch assembly of FIG. 4,wherein the hitch stop is shown in a third position.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the hitch assembly of FIG. 3,wherein the cart and cart mover are hidden for clarity purposes.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side isometric view of a hitch assembly showncoupled to a cart and a cart mover according to another embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a partial side isometric view of the hitch assembly of FIG. 7,wherein the cart and cart mover are hidden for clarity purposes.

FIG. 9A is a partial top isometric view of the hitch assembly of FIG. 8,wherein the hitch stop is shown in a first position.

FIG. 9B is a partial top isometric view of the hitch assembly of FIG. 8,wherein the hitch stop is shown in a second position.

FIG. 9C is a partial top isometric view of the hitch assembly of FIG. 8,wherein the hitch stop is shown in a third position.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the hitch assembly of FIG. 7,wherein the cart and cart mover are hidden for clarity purposes.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged side isometric view of a hitch assembly showncoupled to a cart and a cart mover according to yet another embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 12A is a partial side isometric view of the hitch assembly of FIG.11, wherein the cart and cart mover are hidden for clarity purposes.

FIG. 12B is a partial top isometric view of the hitch assembly of FIG.12A.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the hitch assembly of FIG. 11,wherein the cart and cart mover are hidden for clarity purposes.

FIG. 14A is a top plan view of a hitch assembly, shown coupled to a cartmover, and de-coupled from the cart according to a further embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 14B is a rear view of the hitch assembly and mover of FIG. 14A,wherein the cart is hidden for clarity purposes.

FIG. 15A is a side view of the hitch assembly, cart mover, and cart ofFIG. 14A.

FIG. 15B is a side view of the hitch assembly, cart mover, and cart ofFIG. 14A, wherein the hitch assembly is coupled to the cart.

FIG. 16A is a top plan view of the hitch assembly, cart mover, and cartof FIG. 15B, wherein only the frame of the cart is shown.

FIG. 16B is an enlarged view of area “G” of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16C is a rear view of the hitch assembly, cart mover, and cart ofFIG. 15B.

FIG. 16D is an enlarged view of area “H” of FIG. 16C.

FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view of the hitch assembly of FIG. 14A,wherein the swinging latch end is hidden for clarity purposes.

FIG. 17B is a top plan view of the hitch assembly of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 17C is a top plan view of the hitch assembly of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 17D is a partial cross-sectional view of the hitch assembly of FIG.14A.

FIG. 17E is an enlarged partial top plan view of the hitch assembly ofFIG. 17A.

FIG. 17F is a partial cross-sectional view of the hitch assembly of FIG.17A.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged isometric view of a cart coupling assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of a cart coupling assembly according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20A is an isometric view of an engagement member of the cartcoupling assembly of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20B is a side isometric view of the engagement member of FIG. 20A,wherein the engagement member is shown in an unlocked position.

FIG. 20C is a top isometric view of the engagement member of FIG. 20A,wherein the engagement member is shown in a locked position.

FIG. 21A is an enlarged isometric view of a cart coupling assemblyaccording to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21B is a side isometric view of an engagement member of FIG. 21A,wherein the engagement member is shown in an unlocked position.

FIG. 21C is a top isometric view of the engagement member of FIG. 21A,wherein the engagement member is shown in a locked position.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view of a cart coupling assembly according toyet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23A is a top plan view of the cart coupling assembly of FIG. 22.

FIG. 23B is a front view of the cart coupling assembly of FIG. 22.

FIG. 23C is a side view of the cart coupling assembly of FIG. 22.

FIG. 23D is an enlarged view of area “K” of FIG. 23C.

FIG. 24 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the cart couplingassembly of FIG. 22, shown in a partially engaged position.

FIG. 25A is a top plan view of the cart coupling assembly of FIG. 22,shown in an engaged position.

FIG. 25B is a front view of the cart coupling assembly of FIG. 22 shownin an engaged position.

FIG. 25C is a side view of the cart coupling assembly of FIG. 22 shownin an engaged position.

FIG. 25D is a top plan view of the cart coupling assembly of FIG. 22shown in an engaged position with relative rotational movement of atleast one cart.

FIG. 25E is a front view of the cart coupling assembly of FIG. 22 shownin an engaged position with relative rotational movement of at least onecart.

FIG. 25F is a side view of the cart coupling assembly of FIG. 22 shownin an engaged position with relative rotational movement of at least onecart.

FIG. 25G is a top plan view of the cart coupling assembly of FIG. 22shown in an engaged position with relative rotational movement of atleast one cart.

FIG. 25H is a front view of the cart coupling assembly of FIG. 22 shownin an engaged position with relative rotational movement of at least onecart.

FIG. 25I is a side view of the cart coupling assembly of FIG. 22 shownin an engaged position with relative rotational movement of at least onecart.

FIG. 26 is an isometric view of a cart coupling assembly according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 is a top plan view of the cart coupling assembly of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the cart couplingassembly of FIG. 26, shown in a partially engaged position.

FIG. 29A is a top plan view of the cart coupling assembly of FIG. 26shown in an engaged position with relative rotational movement of atleast one cart.

FIG. 29B is a front view of the cart coupling assembly of FIG. 26 shownin an engaged position with relative rotational movement of at least onecart.

FIG. 29C is a side view of the cart coupling assembly of FIG. 26 shownin an engaged position with relative rotational movement of at least onecart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to novel and advantageous carttransporting apparatus and methods for assisting in the transport ofwheeled carts. More particularly, the present disclosure relates tonovel and advantageous apparatus, devices, and methods for coupling cartmovers to wheeled carts and for coupling multiple wheeled cartstogether. As stated above, example uses for the various embodiments of acart transporting apparatus of the present disclosure can include use instores, distribution centers, warehouses, etc., such as but not limitedto grocery store chains, for moving product from one location toanother, such as from a distribution center to the grocery store.

A cart transporting apparatus of the present disclosure may include ahitch assembly and a cart coupling assembly for transporting carts, suchas roll cages. The cart transporting apparatus can increase efficiencybecause it allows an organization, such as a grocery store distributioncenter, to transport multiple carts and multiple types of carts with asingle cart mover. The cart transporting apparatus can also decreaseworkplace injuries associated with an operator pushing or pulling a cartwithout mechanical assistance. The cart transporting apparatus may alsoreduce costs because individual carts require minimal modification, ifany, in order to provide a common coupling mechanism.

The hitch assembly can be configured to be coupled to a cart mover and acart. The hitch assembly may include a hitch stop configured to engagemultiple types of carts, wherein each type of cart may require adifferent type of stop. In some embodiments, the hitch stop may be arotating hitch stop. In other embodiments, the hitch stop may be asliding hitch stop. In further embodiments, the hitch assembly mayinclude a swinging or rotating latch end that may releasably engage withthe frame of the cart. The hitch assembly can also increase efficiencybecause it allows an organization to transport multiple types of cartswith a single hitch assembly, thereby generally eliminating the need tochange out the hitch assembly or to have one or more cart moversdedicated to moving only one type of cart. However, it is recognizedthat in some embodiments, where cart types are particularly unique, ahitch adapted to a single style of cart may be desirable.

The cart coupling assembly may include engagement members configured toreleasably couple a first cart to a second cart. In some embodiments,the engagement members may also be pivotally coupled to each other. Insome embodiments, the assembly may include an engagement member witharms in a fixed relationship and may include a spring member. The cartcoupling assembly can increase efficiency by allowing a single operatorto move multiple carts at a time, rather than moving one cart at a time.The cart coupling assembly can also decrease the chance of damaging thegoods being transported by hindering the forward progress of the cartssuch that the trailing cart is less likely to hit the cart or carts infront of it. Also, the engagement members can hinder the side to side oruncontrolled movement of the trailing carts while turning or duringtransport in general.

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of one embodiment of a carttransporting apparatus 105 of the present disclosure. The apparatus 105may include a hitch assembly 110 and one or more cart couplingassemblies 115. The hitch assembly 110 may releasably couple a mover 120to a first cart 125. Each cart coupling assembly 115 can releasablycouple one cart 125 to at least one other cart 125.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 105 may also include one or morecarts 125 and a cart mover 120. A cart 125 may include a plurality ofcaster wheels 130, one or more walls 135, a floor 140, and a frame 150(also shown, for example, in FIG. 16A). In some embodiments, the cartframe 150 may be a “z” frame, but any suitable frame shape orconstruction may be used. In some embodiments, the carts 125 may be rollcages or other similar or appropriate device for transporting goods in adistribution center, warehouse, or store. A roll cage is a metal framecart on fixed and swivel casters with a variably shaped floor andtypically two to four sides. Typically, the sides of the cage areconstructed with a perimeter of steel tubes with steel rod mesh inbetween. In some embodiments, for example, the carts 125 may beFour-Sided ‘Z’ Base Nesting Roll Pallets or Two-Sided ‘Z’ Base NestingRoll Pallets, as manufactured by Symonds Hydroclean, Unit 2, WernTrading Estate, Rogerstone, Newport, Gwent, NP10 9XX (United Kingdom).

In some embodiments, a cart 125 may have a rectangular or square shapedfloor 140. In other embodiments, the floor 140 may be any other suitableshape, such as but not limited to round, pentagonal, or another curvedor polygonal shape. The floor 140 may be constructed of steel, stainlesssteel, or other suitable material with strength appropriate for thetask, such as aluminum or plastic, or any combination of suitablematerials. As discussed in more detail below, the floor 140 may furtherinclude a lip or hitch engagement feature.

The walls 135 of the cart 125 may be constructed with steel tubes 155and steel rod mesh 160. The tubes 155 may extend upwardly from theperimeter or corners of the floor 140. The steel rod mesh 160 may beconnected to the steel tubes 155 and extend between or adjacent to thetubes 155 to define one or more walls 135. In some embodiments, a cart125 may have four walls 135. In other embodiments, a cart 125 may havetwo walls 135. In still other embodiments, a cart 125 may have greateror fewer than four walls 135, depending upon the shape of the floor 140or other requirements or specifications of the cart 125. In oneparticular embodiment, the cart 125 may be a roll cage with dimensionsof approximately thirty inches wide by forty inches long by sixty inchestall and when loaded, may weigh up to 1100 lbs.

The cart mover 120 may be any type of cart mover, including a cartpulling device or a cart pushing device. In one embodiment, the mover120 may be a battery-powered, mechanical cart pulling machine. In someembodiments, the mover 120 may include steerable tillers and a frontwheel connected thereto. FIGS. 2A-2C, illustrate rear isometric, side,and top plan views of another embodiment of a mover 220. The mover 120may include a fixed tiller assembly 225 and a swivel caster wheel 230.In use, the fixed tiller assembly 225 can move, or rotate, in a verticaldirection, for example, in the direction of arrows A in FIG. 2B, but maynot move in a generally horizontal direction, for example, in thedirection of arrows B of FIG. 2C.

FIGS. 3-6 illustrate one embodiment of a hitch assembly including arotating hitch stop. The hitch assembly 300 may generally include arotating hitch stop 305, an elongated body 310, catch members 315, and acontrol assembly, including a control cable 320 and a mechanicalarrangement 325 enclosed within the body 310 and which is discussed infurther detail below. In one embodiment, the hitch assembly 300 may alsoinclude a biasing member 330.

The elongated body 310 includes a cart end 335 and a mover end 340. Thecart end 330 of the elongated body 310 may be releasably coupled to acart 125. In one embodiment, the elongated body 310 is generallyrectangular in shape with a partially sloped cart end 345 configured toengage a cart 125. In alternative embodiments, the elongated body 310may be cylindrical or other suitable shape appropriate to engage a cart125 and a mover 120. The elongated body 310 may be constructed ofstainless steel, aluminum, plastic, or other suitable material withstrength appropriate for the weight of the load, or any combinationthereof. The cart end 335 of the body 310 may include a cart face 350and catch members 315. In one embodiment, the cart face 350 of the cartend 335 of the body 310 may be partially sloped and may generally beconfigured so as to not hinder a cart 125 from engaging the catchmembers 315 and the rotating hitch stop 305. In some embodiments, thecart face 350 may be configured to engage a cart 125.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 5A-C, in one embodiment, the rotatinghitch stop 305 may include flanges 355, a plate 360, and a fasteningmember 365. The rotating hitch stop 305 may rotate in a horizontal planeabout the fastening member 365 to engage and stop a cart 125.Particularly, the rotating hitch stop 305 may be pivotally coupled tothe elongated body 310 via the fastening member 365. The stop 305 mayalso be operably coupled to a biasing member 330. The fastening member365 may be a screw, a bolt, or other suitable mechanical fastener orcombination of fasteners. The fastening member may further include awasher. The rotating hitch stop 305 may be constructed of stainlesssteel, aluminum, plastic, or other suitable material with strengthappropriate for the weight of the load, or any combination thereof.

As can be understood from FIGS. 5A-C, in one embodiment, the rotatinghitch stop 305 may be rotated about the fastening member 365 and engagea cart 125 from one of three different positions with one of threedifferent flanges 355 a, 355 b, 355 c. The flanges 355 may vary inheight, width, and length from the fastening member 365, in order toaccommodate various types of carts 125. The flanges 355 may also vary inshape and may include a horizontal portion 370 in addition to a verticalportion 375 to abut or engage a vertical wall of the cart 125, forexample, at a lip or hitch engagement feature of the floor 140 of thecart. The flanges 355 may increase efficiency because multiple types ofcarts 125 may be coupled to a mover 120 utilizing a single rotatinghitch stop 305. While a rotating hitch stop 305 having three differentflanges 355 is illustrated, it is recognized that the rotating hitchstop 305 may include a suitable number of two or more flanges 355 as maybe deemed desirable.

In one embodiment, the biasing member 330 may be a spring, spring-likedevice, or the like. The biasing member 330 may be operably connected tothe elongated body 310 and to the rotating hitch stop 305. The biasingmember 330 may provide tension to the stop 305, such that the stop 305may engage a cart 125 and hinder the progress of the cart 125 towardsthe cart mover 120. In one embodiment, the biasing member 330 canmaintain flange 355 a of the rotating hitch stop 305 in a first position(e.g., FIG. 5A) for engagement with the cart 125, while not hinderingthe selection of other flanges 355 b, 355 c. That is, the rotating hitchstop 305 may be rotated into, for example, a second or third position,such that flanges 355 b, 355 c, respectively, may be positioned forengagement with the cart 125 as needed. In some embodiments, therotating hitch stop 305 may further include a detent mechanism forselecting and maintaining a flange 355 in its respective position forengagement with the cart 125.

The mover end 340 of the elongated body 310 may be operably or pivotallycoupled to a cart mover 120 via fastening members 380 and the controlassembly. The fastening members 380 may be screws, bolts, or othersuitable mechanical fasteners, or combinations thereof. The hitchassembly 300 may pivot about one of the fastening members 380 in avertical plane and about another fastening member 380 in a horizontalplane. With specific reference to FIG. 6, the mover 120 may include aspring assembly 600 operably coupled to the mover end 340 of theelongated body 310 of the hitch assembly 300. The spring assembly 600may provide a control mechanism for the horizontal rotation of the hitchassembly 300 about fastening member 380 a and generally does not hinderthe vertical rotation of the assembly 300 about fastening member 380 b,as described in more detail below.

In use, in one embodiment, when the mover end 340 of the elongated body310 of the hitch assembly 300 is coupled to the mover 120, the springassembly 600 can bias the hitch assembly 300 to generally alignlongitudinally with the mover 120. The hitch assembly 300 may rotate ina horizontal plane about fastening member 380 a to allow the assembly300 and a cart 125 to turn and generally move during transport of thecart 125. The spring assembly 600 can be biased to return the hitchassembly 300 to a generally longitudinally aligned position following aturn.

In one embodiment, when not in use and when a cart 125 is not coupled tothe mover 120, the assembly 300 may be placed in a storage position onthe mover 120. Particularly, in one embodiment, the hitch assembly 300may rotate in a vertical plane in a direction illustrated by arrows C,about fastening member 380 b, thereby allowing the assembly 300 to “foldup” or “fold into” the mover 120 in a storage position. To remove theassembly 300 from the storage position, the previously described processcan be reversed. That is, the hitch assembly 300 may rotate in avertical plane in a direction illustrated by arrows C, about fasteningmember 380 b, thereby allowing the assembly 300 to come out of thestorage position. While the spring assembly 600 may bias to some extentduring vertical rotation, the spring assembly 600 can be configured suchthat it does not substantially hinder the vertical rotation of the hitchassembly 300.

With particular reference to FIGS. 4 and 5A, the catch members 315 mayinclude a first face 405 and a second face 410. The faces 405, 410 maybe connected by a rounded or curved edge 415. Depending upon theconfiguration of the cart 125, none, some, or all of the faces 405, 410,and edge 415 may contact the cart 125.

As indicated particularly in FIG. 6, each catch member 315 may include apivot point 605, a spring 610, and a catch member tab 615, which, alongwith the cable 320, can form part of the control assembly. The releaseor disengagement of the catch members 315 can be controlled via thecontrol assembly. The catch members 315 may be pivotally coupled to thebody 310 via their respective catch member tab 615, which may receive,in a pivotal configuration, a rod 620 that extends through the pivotpoints 605 and the body 310. The catch members 315 may each be coupledto their respective spring 610 via the catch member tab 615, and theopposite end of each spring 610 may be coupled to the body 310. In oneembodiment, the catch members 315 may pivot in unison. In otherembodiments, the catch members 315 may not pivot in unison. In oneembodiment, there are two catch members 315. However, in otherembodiments, there may be fewer or greater catch members 315. The catchmembers 315 may be constructed of stainless steel, aluminum, plastic, orother suitable material with strength appropriate for the weight of theload, or any combinations thereof. Each member 315 may have its owndedicated spring 610 or, alternatively, in some embodiments, a singlespring 610 may bias both catch members 315.

As can be understood from FIG. 6, in some embodiments, along with cable320, the control assembly may further include a pivot rod 625, a linkage630, a tab 635, a rotating plate 640, a cable connective end 645, and/ora coupling member 650. A first end of the cable 320 may be operablycoupled to a lever of the mover 120, and the opposite end of the cable320 may include the connective end 645 that couples the second end ofthe cable 320 to the rotating plate 640. The sheath of the cable 320 maybe coupled via the coupling member 650 to the body 310, such that theinner cable portion can displace relative to the cable sheath when thelever on the mover 120 is displaced. The rotating plate 640 may bepivotally coupled to the elongated body 310 via the pivot rod 625extending through the tab 635 of the body 310. The rotating plate 640may be further coupled to the linkage 630, and the linkage 630 may becoupled to a catch member tab 615. In use, and as described in moredetail below, the control assembly can control the coupling and releaseof the catch members 315 to a cart 125.

As can be understood from FIGS. 3-6, the catch members 315 may pivotabout their pivot points 605 in a vertical plane to engage a cart 125and hinder the movement of the cart 125 once engaged. As a cart 125 isbrought into engagement with the hitch assembly 300 and over the catchmembers 315, the framework or other aspect of the cart 125 being engagedmay press against the catch members 315 to cause the catch members 315to pivot or rotate about the pivot points 605 and pivot rod 620 indirection D, and thereby extending the spring 610 until the cart 125abuts the rotating hitch stop 305. Once the framework or other aspect ofthe cart 125 clears the catch members 315, the spring 610 may bias thecatch members 315 such that the members 315 pivot or rotate in directionE to engage the floor 140 or the lip or hitch engagement feature of thecart 125.

To disengage the catch members 315 from the cart 125, a lever of thecart mover 120 may be used or engaged to displace the cable 320 of thecontrol assembly, pulling the cable 320 in direction F. As the cable 320is pulled, the rotating plate 640 can be caused to pivot in a clockwisedirection about the pivot rod 625 on the tab 635. As the rotating plate640 pivots, the linkage 630 follows, thereby pulling a catch member 315or catch members, via the catch member tab 615, in direction D andthereby disengaging the catch members 315 from the cart 125. The cart125 may also be disengaged from the rotating hitch stop 305. Oncedisengaged from the catch members 315 and the hitch stop 305, the cart125 may be removed from the hitch assembly 300, the lever of the cartmay be released, the above described process will be reversed, and thespring biased catch members 315 can bias into their original positions.

FIGS. 7-10, illustrate another embodiment of a rotating hitch stop 705.The rotating hitch stop 705 may include flanges 755, a plate 760, and afastening member 765. The rotating hitch stop 705 may rotate in ahorizontal plane about the fastening member 765 to engage and stop acart 125. The rotating hitch stop 705 may be pivotally coupled to theelongated body 310 via the fastening member 765. The fastening member765 may be spring-loaded or fixed, may be a screw, a bolt, or othersuitable mechanical fastener or combinations thereof, and may be a partof a detent mechanism. The rotating hitch stop 705 may be constructed ofstainless steel, aluminum, plastic, or other suitable material withstrength appropriate for the weight of the load, or any combinationsthereof.

As shown in FIGS. 9A-C, in one embodiment, the plate 760 may include atleast three holes 905. However, in other embodiments, the plate 760 mayinclude greater or fewer than three holes. In some embodiments, theholes 905, form the corner points for a generally triangular shape aboutthe fastening member 765. As will be recognized, in other embodiments,the holes 905 may form a different shape about the fastening member 765,such as a circle or other round or polygonal shape. In some embodiments,the shape formed by the holes 905 may vary depending on the number ofholes 905 provided.

As can be understood from FIGS. 9A-C, in one embodiment, the rotatinghitch stop 705 can rotate about the fastening member 765. As describedin more detail below, a spring-loaded fastening member 765 can pressdown on the rotating hitch stop 705 while still allowing the hitch stop705 to be rotated, such that a hole 905 may align with a fixed fasteningmember 910 (see FIG. 10), forming a detent arrangement. In otherembodiments, the fastening member 765 may be fixed and the fasteningmember 910 may be spring loaded.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9A-C, the flanges 755 vary in height, width, andlength from the fastening member 765, in order to accommodate varioustypes of carts 125. The flanges 755 may also vary in shape and mayinclude a horizontal portion 770 in addition to a vertical portion 775to abut or engage a vertical wall of the cart 125. The rotating hitchstop 705 may be rotated about the fastening member 765 until a hole 905engages the fastening member 910. Each hole 905 may correspond to one ofthe flanges 755. For example, a hole 905 a, 905 b, 905 c may be engagedby the fastening member 910 when its respective flange 755 a, 755 b, 755c is in position for engagement with a cart 125, for example, at a lipor hitch engagement feature of the floor 140 of the cart. The flanges755 may increase efficiency because multiple types of carts 125 may becoupled to a single mover 120 utilizing a single rotating hitch stop705. While a rotating hitch stop 705 having three different flanges 755is illustrated, it is recognized that the rotating hitch stop 705 mayinclude a suitable number of two or more flanges 755 as may be deemeddesirable.

In some embodiments, the rotating hitch stop 705 may include a detentmechanism, such as the fastening member 910, for selecting andmaintaining a flange 755 in a position for engagement with a cart 125.As described above, each hole 905 can be configured to receive thefastening member 910, such that during the rotation of the hitch stop705, a hole 905 may align with the fastening member 910. When aligned,the fastening member 910 can engage the hole 905, thereby hindering orstopping the rotation of the hitch stop 705 about the fastening member765 and thereby presenting a respective flange 755 to engage a cart 125.However, in other embodiments, the fastening member 765 may bespring-loaded or the like and may provide enough tension when biasedagainst the plate 760, such that the fastening member 765 hinders orstops the rotation of the hitch stop 705 about the fastening member 765and thereby presents a respective flange 755 to engage a cart 125. Insuch embodiments, holes 905 and fastening member 910 may be eliminated.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate another embodiment of a hitch assembly 1100including a sliding hitch stop 1105. In some embodiments, the hitchassembly 1100 may include a sliding hitch stop 1105, an elongated body1110, catch members 1115, and a control assembly, including a controlcable 1120 and a mechanical arrangement 1125 enclosed within the body1110. The catch members 1115 and the control assembly, including thecontrol cable 1120 and the mechanical arrangement 1125 enclosed withinthe body 1110, may be generally similar to and generally operate similarto the catch members 315 and the control assembly discussed above withrespect to FIGS. 3-10. Similarly, the elongated body 1110 may begenerally similar to and generally operate similar to the elongated body310 as described above with respect to FIGS. 3-10, except the elongatedbody 1110 of the hitch assembly 1100 may include a sliding hitch stop1105 and may include holes configured to accept sliding fasteningmembers 1165, as described in more detail below.

The sliding hitch stop 1105 may include sliding fastening members 1165,flanges 1155, and a plate 1160 having slots 1190. The sliding hitch stop1105 may slide in a generally horizontal plane via the slots 1190 aboutthe sliding fastening members 1165 to engage and stop a cart 125. Thesliding hitch stop 1105 may be slidingly coupled to the elongated body1110 via the fastening members 1165. The plate 1160 may include slots1190 configured to receive and slidingly engage the fastening members1165. The fastening members 1165 may be screws, bolts, or other suitablemechanical fasteners, or combinations thereof. The sliding hitch stop1105 may be constructed of stainless steel, aluminum, plastic, or othersuitable material with strength appropriate for the weight of the load,or any combinations thereof.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 12A and 12B, in one embodiment, flange1155 a may vary in shape and may include a vertical portion 1175 and ahorizontal portion 1170. Flange 1155 b may include a vertical portion1175. In other embodiments, flanges 1155 a, 1155 b may include bothvertical and horizontal portions or only vertical portions, or may beshaped in any other suitable or desirable configuration for engagementwith a cart 125. Flanges 1155 may engage a cart 125, and as part of thehitch stop assembly 1105, may hinder the cart's forward progress.

In use, the sliding hitch stop 1105 may slidingly adjust such that thedistance between flange 1155 a, for example, and the cart end 1135 ofthe elongated body 1110 may vary. Such variability allows the hitch stop1105 to accommodate carts 125 with varying floor shapes, configurations,and sizes. The hitch stop 1105 may increase efficiency because multipletypes of carts 125 may be coupled to a single mover 120 utilizing thehitch stop 1105.

As discussed above, in some embodiments, a hitch assembly may include aswinging or rotating latch end. FIGS. 14-17F illustrate anotherembodiment of a hitch assembly 1400, including a swinging or rotatinglatch end 1500, which may also be referred to herein as a hitch stop. Asillustrated in FIG. 14A, in some embodiments, the hitch assembly 1400may include an elongated body 1410, biasing attachment members 1430, anda rotating or swinging latch end or hitch stop 1500. The swinging latchend 1500 of the hitch assembly 1400 may also include fastening members1465 a, a tab 1505, an elongated body end 1510, a middle portion 1515,and a hook end 1520. The fastening members 1465 a may be bolts, pivotbolts, screws, or the like. The tab 1505, the elongated body end 1510,the middle portion 1515, and the hook end 1520 may be made of materialsimilar to that of the elongated body 1410.

The elongated body end 1510 may be pivotally coupled to the elongatedbody 1410 via fastening members 1465 a. The elongated body 1405 mayinclude slotted openings 1490 (see FIG. 17B) configured to receive thefastening members 1465 a, such that the rotating latch end 1500 and theelongated body 1400 may be operably or pivotally coupled. The middleportion 1515 may be operably coupled to the elongated body end 1510 viaat least one of fastening members 1465 a and 1465 b, and the hook end1520 may be operably coupled to the middle portion 1515 via at least oneof fastening members 1465 b and 1465 c. The rotating latch end 1500 maybe separate, individual pieces or sections coupled via fastening membersor other coupling methods, such as but not limited to welding, or may bea single continuous piece or may be a combination of individual andcontinuous pieces.

As can be understood from FIGS. 15A-16D, the hitch assembly 1400 coupledto the cart mover 120 may be placed into position such that the hitchassembly 1400 may begin engagement with the frame 150 of a cart 125. Asfurther shown particularly in FIGS. 15B-16D, and discussed in moredetail below, the hitch assembly 1400 may engage the frame 150, therebygenerally securing the cart 125 to the cart mover 120. The cart 125 maynow be moved via the cart mover 120. As discussed in more detail below,the swinging latch end 1500 may be subsequently disengaged from the cartframe 150, thereby releasing the cart 125 from the cart mover 120. Ahitch assembly 1400 that is coupled to the frame 150 of a cart 125 maybe able to pull additional carts or additional weight and is notaffected by items that may be on the floor 140 of the cart and furtheris not affected by the size or shape of the floor 140.

As shown in FIGS. 14A-16D and detailed in FIGS. 17A-F, the hitchassembly 1400 may include a mover attachment plate 1705, one or morebiasing members 1430, a rotating or swinging latch end 1500, fasteningmembers 1465, a cart engagement ramp 1745, an elongated body 1410, and acontrol assembly. The mover attachment plate 1705 may pivotally couplethe hitch assembly 1400 to a mover 120 via biasing members 1430 andfastening members 1780 a, 1780 b. The biasing members 1430 may be, butare not limited to, springs, spring-like devices, or the like, and thefastening members 1780 may be, but are not limited to, pivot bolts orthe like.

In use, in one embodiment, when the hitch assembly 1400 is coupled tothe mover 120, the biasing members 1430 may bias the hitch assembly 1400to generally align longitudinally with the mover 120. The hitch assembly1400 may rotate in a generally horizontal plane about fastening member1780 a to allow the assembly 1400 and a cart 125 to turn and generallymove during transport of the cart 125. The biasing members 1430 may helpin returning the hitch assembly 1400 to a generally longitudinallyaligned position following a turn.

When not in use, in one embodiment, and when a cart 125 is not coupledto the mover 120, the assembly 1400 may be placed in a storage positionon the mover 120. That is, the hitch assembly 1400 may rotate in avertical plane in the direction of arrows I, about fastening member 1780b, thereby allowing the assembly 1400 to “fold up” or “fold into” themover 120 in a storage position. To remove the assembly 1400 from thestorage position, the previously described process can be reversed.While the biasing members 1430 may bias to some extent during verticalrotation, the biasing members 1430 can be configured such that they donot substantially hinder the vertical rotation of the hitch stopassembly 1400.

The control assembly may be generally at least partially housed in theelongated body 1410 and may include one or more fastening members 1710,one or more biasing members 1715, an operating cable 1420, a rod 1720, abell crank or swinging bracket 1725, a vertical plate 1730, a latchactuator 1740, a tubular member 1750, and/or a triangle plate 1755. Inuse, the release or disengagement of the rotating latch 1500 may becontrolled via the control assembly. A first end of the cable 1420 maybe operably coupled to a lever of the mover 120, and the opposite end ofthe cable 1420 may include a connective end 1760 that couples the secondend of the cable 1420 to the bell crank or swinging bracket 1725. Thesheath of the cable 1420 may be coupled via a coupling member 1765 tothe body 1410, such that the inner cable portion can displace relativeto the cable sheath when the lever of the mover 120 is displaced. Theswinging bracket 1725 may also be coupled to the elongated body 1410 viaa tab 1770, and a fastening member 1710. The swinging bracket 1725 mayalso be coupled to a rod 1720 and a biasing member 1715. The biasingmember 1715 may also be coupled to a vertical plate 1730. The rod 1720may also be coupled to a latch actuator 1740. The latch actuator 1740may be coupled to a tubular member 1750 and a triangle plate 1755.

As indicated particularly in FIGS. 15A-16D, in one embodiment, as a cart125 is brought into engagement with the hitch assembly 1400, the cart125 may engage the cart engagement ramp 1745. The swinging or rotatinglatch 1500 of the hitch assembly 1400 may engage the cart frame 150,thereby generally securing the cart 125 to the mover 120 via the hitchassembly 1400. More specifically, the hook end 1520 may help to guidethe cart 125 into engagement with the latch 1500. The hook end 1520, themiddle portion 1515, and/or the elongated body end 1510 may each engagea side of the frame 150. The tab 1505 and the triangle plate 1755 mayalso engage the frame 1500 and help maintain the cart frame 150 in anengaged position. Particularly, the triangle plate 1755 can act as acatch member, allowing a cart frame 150 to slide over the triangle plate1755 and become engaged between the elongated body end 1510 and thetriangle plate 1755, similar in manner to the catch members describedabove. The tab 1505 may engage a top portion of the cart frame 150, soas to maintain the cart 125 in an engaged position generally between theelongated body end 1510 and the triangle plate 1755. The triangle plate1755 may be disengaged, as discussed in more detail below, using thecontrol assembly.

As can be understood from FIGS. 15A-16D, and with reference to FIGS.17A-F, to disengage the rotating latch 1500 from a cart 125, a lever ofthe cart mover 120 may be used to displace the cable 1420 of the controlassembly, pulling the cable 1420 in the direction of arrow J. As thecable 1420 is pulled, the swinging bracket 1760 may be caused to pivotin a clockwise direction about the fastening member 1710. As theswinging bracket 1760 pivots, the biasing member 1715 and rod 1720 mayfollow, thereby rotating the latch actuator 1740 and pulling thetriangle plate 1755 in a generally downward direction. When the triangleplate 1755 is in a generally downward position, the cart 125 may be freeto move away from the latch 1500 and out of the engaged positiongenerally held between the elongated body end 1510 and the triangleplate 1755. In this manner, the cart 125 may now be disengaged from therotating latch 1500, such as by pulling the cart 125 away from the latch1500 and back over the triangle plate 1755, which has been pulled in agenerally downward direction. Once disengaged from the rotating latch1500, the cart 125 may be removed from the hitch assembly 1400, thelever of the mover 120 may be released, and the above-described processmay be reversed and the rotating latch 1500 may bias into its originalposition (as shown, for example, in FIG. 14A). Additionally, thetriangle plate 1755 may bias back to its original position (as shown,for example, in FIG. 17F) from the generally downward position. Whilethe phrase “triangle plate” is used herein, it is understood that theterm “triangle” is not limiting, and the plate 1755 may be shaped in anysuitable shape useful as a catch member in the manner described herein.

As discussed above, the cart coupling assembly may include engagementmembers configured to releasably couple a first cart to a second cart.In some embodiments, the engagement members of the cart couplingassembly may be pivotally coupled. In other embodiments, the engagementmembers may be coupled in a fixed relationship. FIGS. 18-20C illustrateone embodiment of components of a cart coupling assembly 115, includingengagement members that may be pivotally coupled.

The cart coupling assembly 115 may be utilized to move multiple carts125 at one time. The cart coupling assembly 115 may reduce the risk ofdamage to goods in the carts by hindering a trailing cart from hittingthe cart or carts in front of it. The cart coupling assembly 115 mayalso increase efficiency because multiple carts can be moved at one timeby a single operator and because the side to side movement duringtransport and turns can be more controlled.

As can be understood from FIG. 18, one embodiment of a cart couplingassembly 115 may include a first engagement portion 1805 and a secondengagement portion 1810. Each portion 1805, 1810 may include one or morecart engagement members 1815. In one embodiment, the first portion 1805and the second portion 1810 may be pivotally coupled such that theindividual cart engagement members 1815 a, 1815 b, 1815 c, 1815 d arepivotally coupled to one another, wherein the members 1815 a, 1815 b,1815 c, 1815 d share a generally common pivotal connection 1820. Inother embodiments, the cart engagement members 1815 may be pivotallyconnected to one another at and through a plurality of pivotalconnections 1820, as shown for example in FIG. 19. In FIG. 19, in oneembodiment of a cart coupling assembly 115 with a plurality of pivotalconnections, cart engagement members 1815 of the first portion 1805 andof the second portion 1810 may be connected such that a single arm 1825a, 1825 b extends from each of the first and second portions 1805, 1810,respectively, and pivotally couples the first portion 1805 to the secondportion 1810.

As discussed previously, the first portion 1805 and the second portion1810 of the cart coupling assembly 115 may each include cart engagementmembers 1815. The engagement members 1815 may be constructed ofstainless steel, aluminum, plastic, or other suitable material withstrength appropriate for the weight of the load, or any combinationsthereof. The engagement members 1815 may each engage a steel tube 155 ofa wall 135 of a cart 125. As illustrated in FIG. 18, and in detail inFIGS. 20A-C, in one embodiment, a cart engagement member 1815 mayinclude an arm 1830 and an engagement device 2005, which may include ahook 2010, a latch 2015, and a pivot rod 2020. The hook 2010 and latch2015 may be releasably coupled to the steel tube engaging end of theengagement member 1815. The hook 2010 may engage the steel tube 155 of awall 135 of a cart 125, and the latch 2015 may generally lock/secure orunlock/unsecure the hook 2010 to the steel tube 155. The hook 2010 maybe generally C-shaped and may include a lip 2030 and a rod or protrusion2035 on its inner circumference. The lip 2030 can help maintain thesteel tube 155 of the cart 125 within the hook 2010, when engaged withthe cart 125. As particularly shown in FIGS. 20B and C, the protrusion2035 may engage the steel tube 155 of the cart 125 and can help maintainthe steel tube 155 in position in the hook 2010 while permitting somerotational movement of the steel tube 155 within the hook 2010.

The latch 2015 may include a grip member 2040 and a spring member 2045.The latch 2015 may be operably coupled to the arm 1830 via the pivot rod2020. As shown in FIG. 20B, in one embodiment, the spring loaded latch2015 may be deflected into an unlocked position upon introduction andengagement with a tube, such as the steel tube 155. During deflection,the spring member 2045 may slide along an anti-friction slide member2050 located between the arm 1830 and the spring member 2045. Onceengaged, in one embodiment, the latch 2015 can be self-locking.Particularly, the spring member 2045 may bias into its originalposition, as shown in FIGS. 20A and C, generally securing the engagementarm 1815 to the steel tube 155. The latch 2015 may be unlocked and theengagement device 2005 detached from the steel tube 155 by pulling onthe grip member 2040, thereby biasing the spring member 2045 as thelatch 2015 rotates about the pivot rod 2020.

As can be understood from FIGS. 18 and 20A-C, in one embodiment, thearms 1830 of the engagement members 1815 a, 1815 b of the first portion1805 may be substantially straight and may have substantially equallength, and the arms 1830 of the engagement members 1815 c, 1815 d ofthe second portion 1810 may include a bend 2025 and may havesubstantially equal length. In one embodiment, the arms 1830 of theengagement members 1815 a, 1815 b of the first portion 1805 may have adifferent length than the arms 1830 of the engagement members 1815 c,1815 d of the second portion 1810. However, in other embodiments, it isrecognized that each of the engagement members 1815 may be configuredand sized the same, or one or more of the engagement members 1815 may beconfigured and sized differently from the other engagement members, andall configurations and sizes are within the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure. In use, in one embodiment, the engagement members1815 a, 1815 b of the first portion 1805 may be coupled to a leadingcart 125 a, and the engagement members 1815 c, 1815 d of the secondportion 1810 may be coupled to a trailing cart 125 b. The bends 2025 inthe arms 1830 of the engagement members 1815 c, 1815 d can help tomaintain the orientation of the trailing cart 125 b, such that it ismoving forward or in-line with the leading cart 125 a and the mover 120rather than moving side-to-side relative to the leading cart 125 a andthe mover 120. However, it is also recognized that the engagementmembers 1815 a, 1815 b of the first portion 1805 may be coupled to atrailing cart 125 b, and the engagement members 1815 c, 1815 d of thesecond portion 1810 may be coupled to a leading cart 125 a. It is alsorecognized that any or all of the engagement members may or may notinclude a bend 2025 in the respective arm 1830.

FIGS. 21A-C illustrate another embodiment of a cart coupling assembly115 having engagement members 1830, which may each include an arm 1830and an engagement device 2105, which may include a hook 2110, a latch2115, and a pivot rod 2120. As shown particularly in FIGS. 21B and C,the cart engagement device 2105 may further include a handle 2160.

Particularly, as can be understood from FIGS. 21A-C, in a secondembodiment, the latch 2115 may include a first end 2165 and second end2170. The first end 2165 of the latch 2115 may include a grip member2140. The second end 2170 of the latch 2115 may include a handle 2160.The latch 2115 may be operably coupled to the arm 1830 via the pivot rod2120. As shown in FIGS. 21B and C, in one embodiment, the spring loadedlatch 2115 may be deflected into an unlocked position upon introductionand engagement with a tube, such as the steel tube 155. Duringdeflection, a spring member 2145 may slide along an anti-friction slidemember 2150 located between the arm 1830 and the spring member 2145.Once engaged, in one embodiment, the latch 2115 can be self-locking.Particularly, the spring member 2145 may bias into its originalposition, as shown in FIG. 21A, generally securing the engagement arm1815 to the steel tube 155. The latch 2115 may be unlocked and theengagement device 2105 detached from the steel tube 155 by pushing onthe handle 2160, thereby biasing the spring member 2145 as the latch2115 rotates about the pivot rod 2120. Alternatively, the latch 2115 maybe unlocked by pulling on the grip member 2140, thereby biasing thespring member 2145 as the latch 2115 rotates about the pivot rod 2120.Thus, the latch 2115 may lock/secure or unlock/unsecure the engagementmember 1815 to a steel tube 155 of a cart 125. When desired, theengagement member 1815 may be disengaged from the steel tube 155 bypulling on the grip member 2140, or alternatively, the handle 2160 maybe pressed thereby engaging a “press to release” feature and unlockingthe latch 2115. An operator may then disengage the steel tube 155 of thecart 125 from the engagement member 1815.

While in some embodiments, the engagement members may be pivotallyconnected as described above, in some embodiments, an engagement membermay include arms in a fixed relationship. FIGS. 22-24 illustrate oneembodiment of components of a cart coupling assembly 2200, including anengagement member with arms that may be coupled in a fixed relationship.

As shown in FIGS. 22-24, in one embodiment, the cart coupling assembly2200 may include an engagement member 2205. The engagement member 2205may include arms 2210, first and second attachment members 2215, atelescoping member 2220, an engagement plate 2225, and a spring member2230. The engagement member 2205 may be made of any suitable material,such as stainless steel, plastic, etc., or any combinations thereof. Insome embodiments, the attachment members 2215 may be hooks and latcheswith associated operating components, as described above, and mayoperate similarly as described above.

In one embodiment, the engagement member 2205 may include an armassembly formed from the arms 2210. A first end portion of a first arm2210 a may be joined to a first end portion of a second arm 2210 b, anda second end portion of the first arm 2210 a may be joined to a firstend portion of a third arm 2210 c. A second end portion of the secondarm 2210 b may be joined to a second end portion of the third arm 2210c. In one embodiment, the arms 2210 may form a generally right triangleshape. However, in other embodiments, the arm assembly may includegreater or fewer arms 2210 and/or may form a different shape, such asbut not limited to a square, rectangle, or equilateral triangle. Eacharm 2210 may be joined to the other arms by any suitable connectionmethod, including but not limited to welding or mechanically fastening.In one embodiment, an attachment member 2215 may be joined to each endportion of arm 2210 b.

In one embodiment, arm 2210 a may include the spring member 2230 housedwithin in the arm 2210 a. The spring member 2230 may be secured, at oneend, to arm 2210 a, for example, using a mechanical fastener or thelike. The spring member 2230 may be secured, at its other end, to afirst end portion of the telescoping member 2220, for example, using amechanical fastener 2305 or the like. The first end portion of thetelescoping member 2220 may be telescopically received within the arm2210 a. The telescoping member 2220 may generally be slid relative toarm 2210 a. Thus, in one embodiment, the spring 2230 may join thetelescoping member 2220 to arm 2210 a and prevent the telescoping member2220 from being disconnected from arm 2210 a.

An engagement plate 2225 may be joined to a second end portion of thetelescoping member 2220. The engagement plate 2225 may include a longleg portion 2235 and a short leg portion 2240 that together define agenerally L-shaped engagement plate 2225. A first end portion of thelong leg 2235 may be joined to the telescoping member 2220. The long leg2235 may extend generally transversely to a longitudinal axis of thetelescoping member 2220 in a direction generally away from arm 2210 a.The short leg 2240 may be joined at an end of the short leg to a secondend portion of the long leg 2235. The short leg 2240 may extend from thelong leg 2235 generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of thetelescoping member 2220 in a direction generally towards the attachmentmember 2215 a.

In use, and as can be understood from FIGS. 22-23D, and with particularreference to FIG. 24, the engagement member 2205, in one embodiment, maybe operably attached to a first cart 125 a. More particularly, theengagement plate 2225 may be positioned such that the long 2235 andshort legs 2340 partially encompass a first tube 155 of the first cart125 a, as shown, for example, in FIG. 24. The arm assembly may be pulledgenerally in the direction of arrow L. As the arm assembly is pulled indirection L, the long leg 2235 of the engagement plate 2225 may engagethe first tube 155. Further pulling of the arm assembly in the directionL can result in the first arm 2210 a sliding relative to the telescopingmember 2220 in the direction L, thereby moving the first attachmentmember 2215 a away from engagement plate 2225. The arm assembly maycontinue to be moved in the direction L until the first attachmentmember 2215 a is proximate a second tube 155. The first attachmentmember 2215 a may then be engaged with or coupled to the second tube 155of the first cart 125 a, as described in detail above.

As the first arm 2210 a slides relative to the telescoping member 2220in the direction L, spring member 2230 may stretch from an initial restposition. Upon joining the first attachment member 2215 a to the secondtube 155, spring member 2230 may pull engagement plate 2225 toward thefirst attachment member 2215 a, thus engaging the long leg 2235 of theengagement plate 2225 with the first tube 155. Such engagement can helpresist separation of the engagement plate 2225 from the first tube 155in directions generally parallel to L. Further, positioning the shortleg 2240 on an inside portion of the first tube 155 can help resistseparation of the engagement plate 2225 from the first tube 155 indirections generally toward the arm assembly. More particularly, if thefirst cart 125 a should move generally perpendicularly to thelongitudinal axis of first arm 2210 a in a direction away from the firstarm 2210 a, the first tube 155 can engage the short leg 2240. Suchengagement can help prevent further movement of the first cart 125 aaway from the first arm 2210 a, thus maintaining the joining of theengagement member 2205 to the first cart 125 a. The engagement member2205 can be constrained to rotate about the first attachment member 2215a, whereby the rotation is limited by the engagement plate 2225 on thefirst tube 155.

In one embodiment, to disengage the engagement member 2205 from thefirst cart 125 a, the first attachment member 2215 a may be disconnectedfrom the second tube 155, as described in detail above. Once disengaged,spring member 2230 may return toward its initial rest position, thusmoving first attachment member 2215 a in a direction toward theengagement plate 2225. Engagement plate 2225 may then be moved away fromfirst tube 155 and disengaged from the cart 125 a.

As illustrated in FIGS. 25A-I, in one embodiment, the engagement member2205 may be joined to a second cart 125 b. To join engagement member2205 to second cart 125 b, second cart 125 b may be positioned proximateengagement member 2205. The second attachment member 2215 b may then becoupled to a third tube 155 of second cart 125 b. Once the first andsecond carts 125 a and b are joined to engagement member 2205, the carts125 a and b may be moved in unison, and the trailing cart may follow theleading cart, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 25A-I. Further, theengagement member 2205 can limit relative rotation of the first cart 125a to the second cart 125 b. More particularly, if second cart 125 bshould rotate relative to first cart 25 a from a first position as shownin FIG. 25A to a second position as shown, for examples, in FIGS. 25Dand 25G, such rotation is about second attachment member 2215 b.

To disengage the engagement assembly from carts 125 a and b, theattachment members 2215 may be released, as described above, todisengage the attachment members 2215 from their respective tubes 155,and the spring member 2230 may bias into its initial rest position, thusallowing the engagement plate 225 to be disengaged from the first tube155 of the first cart 125 a, as described above.

FIGS. 26-29C illustrate another embodiment of a cart coupling assembly2200 including an engagement member 2605 having attachment members 2615that are configured as carabiners. The carabiners may be attached to thearms 2210 by any suitable connection method, such as but not limited to,using mechanical fasteners 2610. The embodiments of cart couplingassembly 2200 of FIGS. 26-29 having attachment members 2615 that areconfigured as carabiners may be used and operated similarly to theembodiments of cart coupling assemblies described above with respect toFIGS. 22-25I. While carabiners are illustrated, it is also recognizedthat other types of latches, hooks, connectors, or the like may besuitable for use as engagement members for the various embodiments ofcart coupling assemblies 2200 of the present disclosure.

As can be understood from the figures, with particular reference to FIG.1, the various embodiments of hitch assemblies and cart couplingassemblies may be used together as a cart transporting apparatus. As canbe further understood from the figures, the hitch assemblies may beutilized to releasably couple a cart mover to a cart. For the ease ofthe reader, the description refers to the movement of the cart relativeto the mover as if the mover were in front of the cart. In oneembodiment, an operator may position the mover in front of the cart andengage the catch members. A hitch stop can be used to hinder the forwardprogress of the cart, such that an appropriate flange will abut thefloor of the cart.

Additional carts may be operably or pivotally coupled to the first cartvia cart coupling assemblies. Engagement members may be releasablycoupled to the steel tube of the carts. The hook of an engagement membermay start to engage the steel tube of a cart, thereby biasing the latchof the engagement member such that the latch is in an unlocked position.Once the steel tube is in position within the hook, the latch can biasinto a locked position and the hook maintains the steel tube and thecart in position for transport.

Once the carts reach their destination, the carts may be disengaged fromthe cart transporting apparatus. The first cart may be removed from themover by releasing the catch members via a cable and lever assemblyattached to the mover and coupled to the hitch stop assembly, asdescribed above. The additional carts may be disengaged from each otherby unlocking the latches of the engagement members of the cart couplingassemblies and disengaging the steel tubes from the engagement members.

It should be noted that all directional references set forth herein(e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward,top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, andcounterclockwise) are relative and only used for identification purposesto aid the reader's understanding of the embodiments of the presentinvention, and are not limitations, particularly as to the position,orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically set forth inthe claims. References to any joinder of elements (e.g., attached,coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be construed broadlyand may include intermediate members between a connection of elementsand relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references donot necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and infixed relation to each other.

In some instances, components are described with reference to “ends”having a particular characteristic and/or being connected with anotherpart. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the presentinvention is not limited to components which terminate immediatelybeyond their points of connection with other parts. Thus, the term “end”should be interpreted broadly, in a manner that includes areas adjacent,rearward, forward of, or otherwise near the terminus of a particularelement, link, component, part, member or the like. In methodologiesdirectly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operationsare described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled inthe art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged,replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. It is intended that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes indetail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

1. An apparatus for transporting carts comprising: a hitch stop assemblycomprising: an elongated body including a first end and a second end,the first end configured to be operatively coupled to a cart mover; atleast one catch member operatively coupled to the second end of thebody; and a hitch stop operably coupled to said body and configured tomove about a horizontal plane relative to the body; and a cart couplingassembly comprising: a first portion including first and secondengagement members; and a second portion including a third engagementmember.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hitch stop is arotating hitch stop and includes a plurality of flanges configured toabut different types of carts.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, furtherincluding a detent mechanism.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thehitch stop is a sliding hitch stop including a plate including slots toslidingly engage with at least one fastening member.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the hitch stop is a swinging latch comprising a hookend.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cart coupling assemblycomprises three arms in a fixed relationship relative to each other anda spring member.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second portionof the cart coupling assembly further comprises a fourth engagementmember.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first portion of thecart coupling assembly is pivotally coupled to the second portion. 9.The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each of the first, second, third, andfourth engagement members comprises first and second ends, wherein thefirst end includes a hook and a latch.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth engagement membersfurther comprises a handle.
 11. An apparatus for transporting cartscomprising: a hitch stop assembly comprising: an elongated bodyincluding a first end and a second end, the first end configured to beoperatively coupled to a cart mover; at least one catch memberoperatively coupled to the second end of the body; and a hitch stopoperably coupled to said body and comprising a swinging latch having ahook end; and a cart coupling assembly comprising: a first portionincluding first and second engagement members; and a second portionincluding a third engagement member.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the cart coupling assembly comprises three arms in a fixedrelationship relative to each other and a spring member.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein the second portion of the cart couplingassembly further comprises a fourth engagement member;
 14. The apparatusof claim 13, wherein the first portion of the cart coupling assembly ispivotally coupled to the second portion.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth engagement memberscomprises first and second ends, wherein the first end includes a hookand a latch.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each of the first,second, third, and fourth engagement members further comprises a handle.17. A hitch stop assembly comprising: an elongated body including afirst end and a second end, the first end configured to be operativelycoupled to a cart mover; at least one catch member operatively coupledto the second end of the body; and a hitch stop operably coupled to saidbody and comprising a swinging latch having a hook end.
 18. The hitchstop assembly of claim 17, wherein the at least one catch member isbiased in a first position for engaging a cart and moveable to a secondposition allowing the cart to be disengaged.
 19. The hitch stop assemblyof claim 18, further comprising a control assembly for controllingmovement of the at least one catch member from the first position to thesecond position.
 20. The hitch stop assembly of claim 19, wherein theswinging latch further comprises an elongated body end and a middleportion, such that in an engaged position with a cart, one or more ofthe elongated body end, the middle portion, and the hook end engage aside of the frame of the cart.
 21. The hitch stop assembly of claim 20,wherein the swinging latch comprises a tab, such that in an engagedposition with a cart, the tab engages a top portion of the frame of thecart.
 22. The hitch stop assembly of claim 20, wherein in an engagedposition with a cart, the cart is generally engaged between one or moreof the elongated body end, the middle portion, and the hook end and theat least one catch member.
 23. A cart coupling assembly comprising: afirst portion including first and second engagement members; and asecond portion including a third engagement member.
 24. The cartcoupling assembly of claim 23 further comprising three arms in a fixedrelationship relative to each other and a spring member.
 25. The cartcoupling assembly of claim 23, wherein the second portion of the cartcoupling assembly further comprises a fourth engagement member;
 26. Thecart coupling assembly of claim 25, wherein the first portion of thecart coupling assembly is pivotally coupled to the second portion. 27.The cart coupling assembly of claim 26, wherein each of the first,second, third, and fourth engagement members comprises first and secondends, wherein the first end includes a hook and a latch.
 28. The cartcoupling assembly of claim 27, wherein each of the first, second, third,and fourth engagement members further comprises a handle.
 29. The cartcoupling assembly of claim 27, wherein the third and fourth engagementmembers further comprise a bend.